Traffic is moving very slow on southbound I-65 near the 58 mile marker in Bartholomew County. Indiana State Police say that crews are unloading a semi that is stuck in the median of the interstate. The plan is to allow some traffic to pass before stopping it and resuming unloading work. It is expected to be a few hours before the southbound lanes are completely cleared. You should avoid the area if at all possible.

A fire at the Driftside Trailer Park early Thursday morning brought out firefighters from the German Township Fire Department, as well as Clifford and Edinburgh. Matt Lynch, Deputy Chief of the German Township Volunteer Fire Department, says firefighters were called to the trailer park, at 13500 North US 31, just before 5 a.m. He says that a passerby noticed fire on the front porch and called 911 while also trying to alert those inside the home. Lynch says that the woman was able to wake the two males and one female inside. A Bartholomew County dispatcher was also able to talk to one of the residents and confirm that everyone was out of the trailer.

Lynch says that Edinburgh Fire Engine 41 arrived on the scene and knocked down the fire with a single hand line. Crews continued to extinguish hot spots and also check the house for any fire that could have extended into the walls. The fire was marked complexly extinguished at 5:20 a.m.

Investigators say the fire started next to the front deck. They say there was a five-gallon bucket of used motor oil that was on the porch, a lawn mower under the porch along with two bikes and a tall plastic trash can were all in the area of the fire. Lynch says that both bikes had the front tires melted away, the lawn mower sustained heavy damage and the trash and bucket of oil were completely consumed by the fire. The skirt around the mobile home had melted, however fire crews kept the fire from extending under the home.

The Bartholomew County Fire Inspector says the fire was accidental. He noted that it was likely started by discarded smoking materials in the trash can, which had smoldered overnight.

Fire officials say this incident should serve as a reminder about the importance of having working smoke detectors in your home. You are also reminded to make sure that your smoking materials are completely extinguished before discarding, preferably into a metal trashcan with non-flammable materials.

Columbus has been ranked as a prime area in the U.S. for teachers to live and work. That’s according to the third Annual “Best Cities for K-12 Teachers” report by consumer research website, GoodCall.com. Columbus ranked 90th on the list of 689 cities nationwide.

The report covers nine metrics: job availability, comparative salary, cost of living, amenities, high school graduation rate, college education rate, unemployment, crime rate and restaurants & bars. Data sources included the U.S. Census Bureau, Indeed.com, FBI Crime Data, and Sperling’s Bestplaces. “Cities at the top of our list give teachers the best chance to find jobs that are professionally fulfilling and financially viable
because they are thriving cities where people value education highly,” says Claire Etheridge, Data Analyst for Goodcall.com. She adds, “Teachers who are looking to start a new job in these cities also benefit from the low crime rates and varied restaurant and entertainment options.”

Bentonville, AR topped this year’s list.

A Hope woman was arrested early Wednesday morning on numerous drug charges after officers observed her riding her bicycle with an equipment violation. Officer Alyson Rech, Columbus Police Department spokeswoman, says that Officer Skylar Berry stopped a woman near Pennsylvania Street and 19th Street at 4:40 a.m. after he saw her riding a bike without a working front light. Officers learned that the woman, 35-year-old Lacey N. Hoeltke, had an active Bartholomew County warrant, leading to her being taken into custody. While officers were searching Hoeltke’s backpack, they allegedly found a spoon and a digital scale, both containing methamphetamine residue. In addition, police say that also found a grinder, three smoking devices and a clear plastic bag, all containing marijuana residue, in Hoeltke’s bag. Police say they also found a small plastic bag containing methamphetamine, a small plastic bag with marijuana and three syringes in Hoeltke’s backpack.

Hoeltke was arrested on the warrant, along with preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia.

EDIT: This story has been updated after we spoke with state officials.

Indiana State Excise Police Officers raided a shop this week in a Columbus mall, seizing candies and other items with a marijuana-derived oil. Authorities also also allegedly found a small amount of marijuana in the Nirvana shop, located in the Fair Oaks Mall on 25th Street.

Authorities say that officers executed a search warrant at the shop at around 12:20 p.m. on Monday. There, officers say they seized several cannabidiol oil products, including liquid and gummy bears. State officials say the business was cited administratively against its tobacco certificate on preliminary charges of Being a Public Nuisance, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of a Counterfeit Controlled Substance.

Excise police say that while at the business, enough evidence was gathered to obtain a search warrant for the home of the owner, Tulsidas G. Narsinghani. Authorities arrived at his Lapwing Drive at approximately 4:50 p.m. on Monday. There, they allegedly found, and seized, several cannabidiol oil products, paper documents, drug paraphernalia, a small amount of suspected marijuana and over $20,000 in cash.

Indiana State Excise Police say that Monday’s raid comes after action taken earlier this month against Nirvana. On May 13th, officials say the business was cited on preliminary administrative charges of Possession of unauthorized E-liquid, Public Nuisance to Wit: Possession of Throwing Stars and Failure to Display Tobacco Certificate.

Authorities say that no arrests were made. They add that a report will be submitted to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Congressman Luke Messer, a Republican representing Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District, is praising President Trump’s budget blueprint. That plan, released Tuesday, includes a proposal to close a loophole that allows billions of dollars in Child Tax Credits to be claimed by illegal aliens, a measure that Messer has been calling for for some time. The Congressman filed legislation in January urging Trump to take similar action.

“Hoosiers are tired of our broken tax and immigration systems that reward people who come here illegally,” Messer said. “Federal tax benefits should go to low and middle-income American families who work hard and play by the rules, not to those who break them. I applaud President Trump’s efforts to protect U.S. taxpayers by stopping this fraud.”

Messer’s office says that President Trump’s budget would ensure that only taxpayers with a valid Social Security Number can claim the Child Tax Credit, which allows families to claim a $1,000 tax credit per child. Currently, those in the United States illegally can claim this benefit without a Social Security Number by using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Those numbers are issued to people, regardless of immigration status.

Rep. Messer cites a 2014 Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration report estimating that between $5.9 and $7.1 billion was being paid out every year to illegal immigrants and individuals illegally claiming children. A 2011 report estimated that $4.2 billion was going just to illegal aliens.

State Road 46 between Franklin and Brown Streets in Columbus will be closed for Friday’s Salute! Concert. The Indiana Department of Transportation issued the permit to help with traffic flow for the show, being held on the lawn of the Bartholomew County courthouse.

INDOT says that, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, drivers will be routed from eastbound State Road 46/Second Street to First Street. The south lane of westbound State Road 46/Third Street will also close at that time. Restrictions should be lifted by 11 p.m.

The annual concert performed by the Columbus Philharmonic Orchestra honors those who serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces. This year’s free show begins at 7 p.m. and features Grammy Award-winning vocalist Sylvia McNair.

Rep. Luke Messer, a Republican representing Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District, was appointed by House Speaker Paul Ryan to serve on the recently created bipartisan Task Force on Intergovernmental Affairs. The group is charged with working to restore the proper balance of power between federal, state and local governments.

Messer is among seven Republican House members appointed to the 13-member Task Force.

“Indiana has proven time and again that the best government is closest to the people it serves,” Messer said. “Our states, cities and counties are the true engine for innovation in government. I’m excited to work on this Task Force to combat federal overreach and return power to states.”

Messer’s office say the Task Force will partner with state and local governments to determine where the federal government has overstepped, and come up with solutions to return control to states and local entities. The Task Force will also provide a forum for states, cities, and counties to showcase innovation and creativity in solving public policy problems.

“Federalism is not a Republican or Democrat principle, but an American principle—and one that is integral to a thriving culture and economy,” Speaker Ryan said. “But in recent years, the principle of federalism has been slowly chipped away at by an overzealous federal government. Under Chairman Bishop’s leadership, the Task Force on Intergovernmental Affairs will study ways to restore the proper balance of power between the federal government and states, tribal, and local governments, and eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens facing communities across the nation.”

A Columbus man was arrested on several drug and theft charges Friday evening. Officer Alyson Rech, Columbus Police Department spokeswoman, says that officers were dispatched to Fair Oaks Mall at 6:45 p.m. on a report of a shoplifter. Police spoke with the suspect, 34-year-old William E. Smith, outside of the mall. Mall security and a store employee told police that they saw Smith place a pair of shoes inside his backpack, then leave without paying for them. During the investigation, officers reported finding several items on Smith that had been stolen from other stores inside the mall. After Smith was taken into custody, officers allegedly found a syringe, methamphetamine and a glass smoking pipe inside of Smith’s backpack.

Smith was arrested on preliminary charges of Theft, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Legend Drug Injection Device and Possession of a Legend Drug Smoking Device.

A Columbus man is facing a felony charge after a fight on Sunday hospitalized another man. Judy Jackson, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman, says that shortly after 5 p.m., Deputy Adam Warner responded to a call about a fight in the 5100 block of County Road 450 East. When Warner arrived, he reported finding a semi-conscious man on the ground. The suspect, 22-year-old Elliott Blackburn, allegedly confessed to authorities that he had battered the 24-year-old victim.

The victim was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital with injuries to his face. Jackson says the man was later transported to an Indianapolis hospital for surgery. His condition is unknown.

Blackburn is being held without bond on a preliminary charge of Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.